About
Clean Buildings Healthy Communities (CBHC) was developed in 2024 to support shared strategy and fundraising efforts to increase funding for community, state, and national building decarbonization advocacy across the US and facilitate increased collaboration.
HOW IT ALL DEVELOPED
With relatively modest funding (building decarbonization advocacy receives less funding compared to other climate sectors), the building decarbonization movement has fundamentally shifted the landscape in recent years. We have achieved foundational wins to advance electrification and started a conversation about the need for a shift of resources away from continuing to build out the gas system for buildings and instead invest in healthy, clean, affordable and fossil-fuel free buildings.
But we know in order to move towards our vision, more resources are needed - to support existing efforts - to build new - and to ensure that environmental justice and energy burdened communities have the resources to lead this work.
The effort currently consists of 11 steering committee members:
These groups came together to make the case for additional resources for the movement to potential new funders through a new “Clean Buildings Healthy Communities Campaign.” We developed a shared vision, values, goals, and strategic priorities, with the recognition that these would need to evolve if we were able to secure resources for a campaign, as we would build it with a much larger group of advocates - including all of you.
At this time, our fundraising efforts have not resulted in resources to launch a campaign. We were able to raise funding for this national convening, which we are hosting to continue to facilitate strategic collaboration in the building decarbonization movement.
The steering committee developed a shared vision, values, goals, and strategic priorities, with the recognition that these will need to evolve if we were able to secure resources for a campaign, as we would build it with a much larger group of advocates - including all of you.
VISION & VALUES
By 2050, everyone in the United States will live, work, learn, and gather in healthy, affordable, and safe buildings that are free of fossil fuels.
Collaborative solidarity
Racial equity
Community governance and engagement
Balancing power for effective collaboration
Equitable resourcing
Our STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Stop Investments in Gas
Transition new building construction and heating equipment sales to all-electric, remove subsidies for gas, and reform utilities to support electrification.
Ensure Affordability
Prioritize low-income communities, secure funding and implement programs for whole-home retrofits, including electrification, and ensure energy bills decrease when electrifying.
Strengthen Community-led Campaigns
Fund and support community organizations to lead building decarbonization efforts.
Activate base; influence market to shift culture
Secure legally durable policies, engage manufacturers and contractors,and ensure public and political support for electrification.
OUR GOALS
Reduce GHG Emissions from all U.S. Buildings 100% by 2050 and 40% by 2030.
By 2030, all new buildings in leadership states are electric; nationwide by 2035.
By 2035, fossil equipment sales have been phased out to reduce emissions and increase energy efficiency and load flexibility.
By 2030, all large commercial & multifamily buildings in leadership states are subject to increased energy efficiency and zero-emissions requirements, nationwide by 2035
100% Comprehensive retrofits for LMI households at no or low up front cost by 2050 and 20% by 2030.
By 2030, all-electric homes in the U.S. are less costly to operate for residents than mixed-fuel homes
By 2030, protections exist to cap energy burden for income-qualified households in priority states.
By 2035, comprehensive zero-emission retrofits will be accessible and affordable for all low-income housing residents nationwide
Planned transition away from the gas pipeline system with 100% of gas pipeline system transitioned by 2050 and 20% gas utility customer count decreases by 2035.
By 2030, leadership states have reformed the obligation to serve to allow neighborhood-scale electrification; nationwide by 2035.
By 2035, all states are implementing large-scale neighborhood-wide decarbonization programs prioritizing communities with pipes in need of replacement and underinvested communities.